The following article first appeared here under the title "OSA’s Official Response to Sidewalk Advocates for Life’s Video". The video in question, which criticizes the heroic efforts of the Red Rose Rescuers, can be viewed here.
“He that first states his own cause seemeth just, but then his neighbor cometh and searcheth him” (Proverbs 18:17).
Before I begin the official critique of a very misguided and unnecessary video put out by Sidewalk Advocates for Life, let me begin with some opening remarks. First, I’m not in a habit of getting involved with social media wars. I’ve seen endless foolishness, contention, and strife generated by immature, carnal believers and non-believers alike. In such cases, even a fool is considered wise if he keeps his mouth shut (Proverbs 17:28)
Second, Operation Save America has been blessed with some of the most effectual sidewalk counselors on the planet. Between them, literally thousands of lives have been spared and hundreds of souls have been born into God’s Kingdom and added to His Church. To all sidewalk counselors who labor at the death camps, OSA commends your great work.
Your work, however, is not the only essential aspect to ending the American holocaust. There are other vital measures that must take place to end the suffering and injustice of child sacrifice and the shedding of innocent blood. Due to time and focus, however, this rebuttal letter is not the venue to discuss these other aspects. Just know that there is a campaign coming called “Make the Pledge” that will lay out what is needed and necessary to not just fight abortions, but end abortion in America.
Now to the task at hand, why would Sidewalk Advocates for Life release their video in conjunction with Red Rose Rescuers facing a court trial? What was the nature of their crime? Who is the law breaker and who is the law keeper in this and other similar cases? Biblically, it is our tyrannical government and the blood lust culture it has produced that are guilty of law breaking. The rescuers obeyed the higher law of God (They are the true law keepers) by employing the Christian doctrine of interposition to save lives condemned to be murdered unjustly.
Jesus settled the nature of law and it’s lawful use once and for all. Luke 6:9 records, “Then Jesus said to them, I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” If a person is sane with his moral compass intact, the answer is self-evident. Why does this truth not register with Sidewalk Advocates for Life?
The principle the church of Jesus Christ has followed since its inception has been, “When the State commands us to do what God forbids or forbids us to do what God commands – we are to obey God rather than man.” Perhaps, Sidewalk Advocates for Life needs a reminder from God’s Word, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Minimally, the video smacks of “sour grapes” timing. Worst case scenario, this pro-life group seems to be afraid that those under their sphere might be inspired to follow the brave and godly example of rescuers. If this assessment is true, a territory spirit is an impediment when it comes to this battle for the souls of men, the lives of babies, and the future of our blood stained, perverted land.
I would agree that rescue as a tactic sparking a national movement is probably over, but as a Gospel witness, it is always viable. Jesus declared, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Here are some other observations to consider in discerning this video. Solomon stated, “There is nothing new under the sun” Since Operation Rescue/Operation Save America began in the late 80’s there has always been a divide between Rescue and proliferism. Just as there is divide today between abolitionists and “professional pro-lifers.” Whereas Rescue said, “Abortion is murder. Act like it.” Proliferism, in essence, forbad “acting like it.” Whereas Rescue declared, “Pro-life without compromise, without exception, without apology,” proliferism, by its very nature was riddled with compromise, exceptions, and apologies.
I’ve noticed with such groups that they are quick to love, care, and show great compassion to those intent on murdering children, but have great disdain for those who seek to rescue them or abolish all abortion now in Jesus’ name! They apologize to the death industry on the behalf of Christians who seek to obey the command of Scripture, “Rescue those unjustly sentenced to death. Do not stand by and let them die” (Proverbs 24:11). It seems to me this video is merely more of the same “nicer than Jesus,” pro-life milquetoast that has condemned the pro-life movement to a hamster wheel that has been bottle necked by a tyrannical Supreme Court.
When groups like these suggest rescuers or those who are abolitionists today, are desperate, potentially dangerous, or violent, you need to ask yourself an important question. Why is this group mouthing the same false charges and accusations as the pro-aborts? Why is their rhetoric more akin to the death industry than Biblical Christianity? What spirit motivates them? If you have any discernment at all, it’s guaranteed, this video was not inspired by the Spirt of God.
Notice, as well, it was mostly women leading the charge and accusations against rescuers. It should come to no one’s surprise, therefore, that their main concern is for abortion bound women. On the surface, most will not connect this to the same focus perpetrated by the pro-abort movement. Again, they have the same focus as the pro-aborts. It is all about women. Where is God and the only true victim, in most cases, the innocent baby in the womb, when it comes to their priorities?
If people in this movement do not put God first and love Him with all our hearts, souls, mind, and strength and then, in order, love our neighbor as ourselves, we are out of order. We have reversed God’s commandments. This will lead to putting people’s needs first before the glory of God and if not careful, create a “pro-life idol” that is fit for destruction.
The focus of the video was solely on their “sidewalk ministry.” As if, they owned the market on ministry at the death camps and are the only ones “doing it right.” God’s word warns us to temper our high opinion of ourselves (Romans 12:3). Perhaps, a little humility is in order. Contrast that view with Biblical Christianity. The true church is concerned primarily with God’s glory, the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom and its application to a nation that commits child sacrifice and parades her sin like Sodom.
The next problem with this video deals with authority. Their video is very much concerned about feelings and their pragmatic strategies. They are concerned about what works before men, rather than what is right before God. They provide no scriptural basis to suggest that those who rescue are in sin. So, why do they try and condemn it? They merely raised an arbitrary standard of authority based upon fallible lawyers and those who formerly worked in the death industry. Jesus would consider that foundation sinking sand that is doomed for failure (Matthew 7:24-27).
They should show some humility. Unless their judgment is based upon God’s word, they do not have the authority to determine what is acceptable or unacceptable. Only God’s Word has the authority to inform men’s consciences regarding what is right or wrong, good or evil (Romans 2:15). Unless they can show from Scripture that rescue is a sin, they need to mind their own business. Why pick up a passing dog by the ear (Proverbs 26:17)?
Not only does this video replace principle with pragmatism, their approach is solely rooted in “Mercy Ministries.” Now, there is nothing thing wrong with mercy ministries in and of itself. It adds much credibility to help in our efforts to plead the case of the fatherless to win it. It helps Christians to light a candle, rather than just curse the darkness. It is certainly wrong, however, to condemn as sin the manly calling of prophetic ministries.
Their other pragmatic and faulty concern dealt with the consequence of obeying God. Christians are called to rescue those unjustly sentenced to death. Jesus said that we were to count the cost of obedience (Luke 14:28). It is implied that Christians should be willing to pay the price to follow and obey our King, regardless of the cost. Duty is ours, the results belong to God. It is not our realm to determine the outcome of our obedience. That belongs to the providence and sovereignty of God.
Even pagans understood this reality. Albert Camus, the French author and famous existentialist, stated, “There comes a time in history when the man who dares to say that two and two make four is punished with death…and the question is not one of knowing what punishment or reward attends the making of this calculation. The question is that of knowing whether two and two do make four.”
On many occasions throughout redemptive history, God’s people have declared, “Two plus two equals four” and they suffered for it. What makes our detractors so special that they get to avoid suffering, bearing the reproach, and the hatred from the world for stating and living out the self-evident truth? To them and all those reading this rebuttal, settle this in your hearts. It is simply our turn now.
Theologically, abortion is a Gospel issue. Humanly speaking, it is much more a man’s issue. Why is this? God called men to protect, provide and care for women and children. Our government, “laws,” and our feminized culture (epitomized by much of the Sidewalk Advocates for Life’s video) ignores or despises this Biblical truth. Governmentally, abortion is a tyranny issue. Culturally, abortion is licentiousness- a literal license to sin and commit crime.
Here are a few last admonishments to the Sidewalk Advocates for Life who accuse rescuers of taking “desperate measures.” Barry Goldwater sated, “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!” Benjamin Franklin declared, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
Martin Luther King Jr. taught:
There are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all.”
Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law
Taking a cue from King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail, I would like to end this critique of this video with his sentiments. The timeless principles are the same, just a different evil that we face today.
First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the…[prolife movement]. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the…[preborn’s] great stumbling block in the stride toward…[the inalienable right to life] is not the… [proaborts], but the…[prolifer] who is more devoted to…[“incrementalism”] than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action;” who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man’s…[life]; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises…[rescuers and abolitionists] to wait until a “more convenient season.”
Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”
Lastly, stay tuned for OSA’s “Make the Pledge” campaign. If you find any merit to this rebuttal to Sidewalk Advocates for Life video, please pass it on in your sphere of influence. Thanks!